Powder-Dispensing Device for Sanitary Grooming

ABSTRACT

A grooming device that absorbs moisture or oil on a patron and applies a light layer of powder to the patron, thus enabling unwanted hair to be easily brushed off the patron. The device employs a powder-dispensing head made of mesh or woven material that permits powder to pass from the head through the holes in the mesh or weave. The head is connected to or integral with a holder that enables a user&#39;s hand to stay powder-free while using the device by preventing powder from escaping onto the hand of the user holding the holder. A retainer positioned at the intersection of the head and a holder creates the cavity in the head that holds the powder. Optionally, a head ribbon is attached to or integral with at least a portion of the head and is detachably connected to the holder of a second grooming device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 14/843,064 filed Sep. 2, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/541,666 filed Jul. 4, 2012, both incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally grooming devices. This invention relates particularly to a sanitary powder-dispensing grooming device used in hair styling.

BACKGROUND

After a patron's hair is cut, it is desirable to remove the cut-away hair. Unfortunately the cut-away hair pieces tend to stick to moist or oily skin, making it difficult to remove. Traditionally a hairstylist or barber uses a plastic or wood brush with long bristles to brush away the hair. Some such brushes have pockets in them for holding talcum powder, known in the industry as talc brushes. Unfortunately, the present grooming devices are difficult to clean and sanitize, which creates an unsafe environment for the patrons and makes it difficult to comply with state boards' of cosmetology rules on sanitation.

For example the Nevada Administrative Code §§ 644.335 6 & 7 requires that “[A]ll instruments and supplies, including, without limitation, neck strips, nail files and buffers, that come into direct contact with a client and cannot subsequently be disinfected must be disposed of in a waste receptacle immediately following their use” and that “[n]eck dusters and all other brushes used on a client must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.” Thus, a talc brush cannot be used on another patron without sterilizing it first. Unfortunately, talc brushes are difficult to sanitize, which means that a stylist either has to have a new talc brush for each patron or has to have several sanitized talc brushes in inventory as patrons arrive more quickly than the brushes can be cleaned. It's expensive to keep multiple existing talc brushes and difficult to clean them without damaging them. It would be desirable to have a cost-effective grooming device that is sanitary for removing cut-away hair on a patron.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a grooming device that is sanitary each time it is used. It is another object to provide a grooming device that complies with the State Boards' of Cosmetology laws and sanitations requirements. Another object is to provide a grooming device that absorbs liquids, moisture, and hair and body oils. A further object is to provide a grooming device that evenly and comfortably smoothes a patron's skin in preparation for hair removal. Yet another object is to provide such a grooming device that removes unwanted cut hair from a patron.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a grooming device that absorbs moisture or oil on a patron and applies a light layer of powder to the patron, thus enabling unwanted cut-away hair to be more easily brushed off the patron. The device employs a powder-dispensing head made of mesh or woven material that permits powder to pass from inside the head to outside the head through the holes in the mesh or weave. The head is connected to or integral with a holder that limits the amount of powder that gets on a user's hand while using the device by preventing powder from escaping onto the user's hand. A retainer positioned at the intersection of the head and a holder creates the cavity in the head that holds the powder. Optionally, a head ribbon is attached to or integral with at least a portion of the head and is detachably connected to the holder of a second grooming device to aid in dispensing the device from a dispenser. The device may be made of sanitizable materials and re-used, such as cotton. Alternatively the device may be a single-use device made of materials that may not be sanitizable but are disposable, such as air-laid paper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1D illustrates a rear view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the device with powder being poured into the device.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of multiple second embodiments of the present invention connected together in a sequence.

FIG. 4A illustrates the second embodiment of the invention with powder in it.

FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of multiple devices shown in FIG. 4A connected together in a sequence.

FIG. 4C illustrates a front view of multiple devices shown in FIG. 4A compressed and connected together in a sequence.

FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of a dispenser for separating the multiple second embodiments into single devices.

FIG. 5B illustrates a dispenser with a closeable lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present grooming device, designated generally as 1, is used to groom a hair-styling patron by absorbing any sweat, moisture, or skin oil on the patron and applying a light layer of powder, thus enabling unwanted cut-away hair to be more easily brushed off the skin. The device 1 comprises a powder-dispensing head 2, which is attached to or integral with a holder 10. Holder 10 is also referred to as a hand curtain because when cinched curtain-like pleats or folds in the holder. The powder 16 is retained in the head 2 with the use of a retainer 14.

The head 2 holds a powdery substance, referred to generally as a powder 16 and described in more detail below, which is released in small amounts through the walls of the head 2 when the head 2 is gently tapped or shaken. Preferably the head 2 is generally round or disc-shaped so that no corners poke the patron nor trap powder. The head 2 is made of a flexible material such as woven or non-woven microfiber, linen, silk, wool, rayon, cotton, microcotton, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, paper, breathable dry weave material, or any other material enabling powder 16 to pass from inside the head 2 to outside the head 2 through the holes in the mesh or weave. Preferably the material is highly absorbent. The head 2 may further comprise head trim 4 to add structural rigidity to the head 2. Preferably the head trim 4 is disposed at the periphery of the head 2 and may partially or completely surround the head. Typically the head trim comprises a seam of layers of the head material connected together with stitches or adhesive, a separate piece of the same or different material attached to the head 2, or a stay attached to the head 2. The head trim 4 allows for the powder 16 retained in the head 2 to move freely. See FIGS. 1A-1D.

The holder 10 is the portion of the device 1 that is held by the stylist while using the device. The holder 10 is attached to or integral with the head 2. The holder 10 does not contain powder and gives the user a handle to apply the head 2 to the patron in a way that limits the amount of powder that gets on the user's hand. The holder 10 can be made of either woven or un-woven material such as microfiber, linen, silk, wool, rayon, cotton, microcotton, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, paper, or any other material. Preferably the holder 10 is a material such that it can be washed or dried at high temperatures. In a preferred embodiment the holder 10 is made of a material being highly absorbent. Preferably the holder 10 is comprised of the same material as that of the head 2 for ease of manufacturing. Another embodiment has the holder 10 made of a material different from that of the head 2. The holder 10 is preferably as flexible as the head 2 but may be more or less rigid.

A retainer 14 is disposed at the intersection of the head 2 and the holder 10. The retainer 14 cinches and relaxes the device 1 to create a cavity in the head 2 and secure it closed so that little or no powder 16 escapes through the head-holder opening when the device 1 is used. In this way the user's hand stays relatively powder-free because it is not holding the part with the powder in it. The retainer 14 is positioned on the device 1 such that it creates a head 2 sized to contain sufficient powder 16, a holder 10 sized to enable comfortable and secure grasping by the user, and a weight balance between the head 2 and the holder 14 to make the device easy and comfortable to use.

The retainer 14 may be any closing means including stitching, an elastic band, hook-and-loop band such as Velcro®, cord, ribbon, string, weld, or other mechanism that enables the head 2 to be cinched closed during use. The retainer 14 may close the opening independent of a fastener, but preferably the retainer 14 is secured closed using a fastener such as a spring lock 6, or in the case of a tie cord, a knot. See FIG. 2. FIGS. 1A-D and 2 show one embodiment of the retainer 14 as a tie cord 8 moveable within a sheath and secured with a spring lock fastener 6. FIGS. 3A-B show a second embodiment of the retainer 14 as an elastic band. FIGS. 4A-C show a third embodiment of the retainer 14 as a seam created by stitching or a weld created by pressing, heating, or adhesive.

In a preferred embodiment the powder 16 is talcum powder. Other powders 16 include arrowroot powder, corn flour, cornstarch, rice flour, or any other powdered substance that absorbs moisture or oil or both.

For a reusable device 1, the holder 10 comprises one or more openings 23 in communication with one or more openings in the head 2 such that powder 16 can be poured into the head cavity through the holder and the cavity refilled as needed. See FIG. 2. In a first embodiment the holder 10 has a side opening so that it can be folded down for easy access to the head. See FIGS. 1B, 1C and 2. Any free edge of the holder 10 may be protected with holder trim 12 to prevent the edges from fraying. The holder trim 12 may be a selvage edge, the same material as the head, or a different material. Preferably the holder trim 12 is comprised of a material that can be washed or dried at high temperatures so that it can be easily sanitized. Preferably the device 1 is made of terry cloth that can be laundered with the towels that are sued on the patrons.

In another embodiment the device is disposable and therefore does not need to be refilled. Instead, the device 1 is made with powder 16 placed in the head 2 during manufacturing and each device 1 is thrown away after each use. FIGS. 4A-C and 5A-B illustrate the embodiment of a disposable device.

The head may further comprise a head ribbon 21 that is attached to or integral with at least a portion of the head 2, which detachably connects to a second grooming device at its holder 10 or holder trim 14. In this way multiple devices may be detachably connected end to end. See FIGS. 3B and 4B-4C. The head ribbon 21 aids in dispensing the device 1 from a dispenser 31. In a preferred embodiment a first device 1 is detachably connected to one or more second devices 1 by perforations to the head ribbon 21, holder 10 or holder trim 12. In this way a plurality of the devices 1 can be connected together in a chain, as shown in FIGS. 4B-C. A single device 1 can be disconnected from the chain at the head ribbon 21. In another embodiment the head ribbon 21 is folded back over the head so that the head 2 of a first device lays on the holder 10 of a second device in an overlapping accordion fashion to form a stack. In this way multiple separate devices are stacked on top of one another. A single device 1 can be separated from the stack, leaving the remaining devices 1 in an orderly stack.

FIGS. 5A-B show a dispenser 31 with the head ribbon 21 of a single device 1 extending out of an opening in the dispenser 31. The dispenser 31 comprises a body 32, a lid 33, and the dispenser opening 34. The dispenser opening 34 may be in the body 32, as shown in FIG. 5A, or in the lid 33, as shown in FIG. 5B. The lid is designed to contain the devices in a sanitary manner. Preferably the body 32 comprises an internal area large enough that a plurality 36 of the devices can be retained inside, as shown in FIG. 5A. The dispenser opening 34 is sized such that a device 1 can be pulled from the inside body 32 and through the dispenser opening 34. The single device 1 then is subsequently detached from the plurality 36 of devices remaining in the body 32. In one embodiment the plurality 36 of devices have perforations between the head ribbon 21 and the holder 10 or holder trim 14 and the dispenser opening 34 is rigid enough to cause a first device 1 to be separated from a second device 1 at the perforations when the first device is pulled against the edge of the dispenser opening 34. The dispenser 31 may be decorated with logos, coupons, designs, or other writings and images. The dispenser may be made of plastic, paper, metal or any material able to contain the devices in a sanitary manner.

A coupon may be placed at or near the bottom of the dispenser that can be seen when the last few devices 1 are removed from this dispenser. The coupon reminds the stylist that it's time to get more devices 1 and may offer a discount or other incentive to purchase more of a given brand.

While there has been illustrated and described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A grooming device comprising: a) a powder-dispensing head having an inside surface and an outside surface, the head made of a mesh or woven material that permits powder to pass from inside the head to outside the head through the holes in the mesh or weave; b) a holder having a distal edge wherein: i. the holder is connected to the head at an intersection; ii. the holder further comprises at least one opening in communication with the head such that loose powder can be poured into the head through the holder; and iii. the distal edge has a single V-shaped side opening in which the point of the V is near a retainer, the legs of the V extend from the retainer to the distal edge, and the V-shaped side opening creates flaps that drape outward from the holder while the powder is poured into the head through the holder; and c) the retainer is positioned between the head and the holder, wherein the retainer cinches and relaxes the device at the intersection of the head and the holder and when cinched closes a cavity in which the loose powder resides.
 2. The grooming device according to claim 1 wherein the entire outside surface of the head is exposed during use.
 3. The grooming device according to claim 1 wherein the head has a curved outline and no points or corners.
 4. The grooming device according to claim 3 wherein the head is U-shaped.
 5. The grooming device according to claim 4 wherein the head further comprises: a) a first face made of a flexible material, the first face having a U-shaped periphery; b) a second face made of the flexible material, the first face having a U-shaped periphery, the faces connected together at their peripheries to form a peripheral edge, with the holder connected to the head at the open end of the U; and c) a head trim attached to the peripheral edge to add structural rigidity such that the flexible material does not collapse upon itself.
 6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the head and holder are each made of terry cloth.
 7. The grooming device according to claim 1 wherein the retainer slides within a casing that is disposed over the intersection.
 8. The grooming device according to claim 1 further comprising loose powder in the cavity.
 9. The grooming device according to claim 8 wherein the retainer prevents loose powder in the cavity from escaping onto a hand of a user holding the holder.
 10. The grooming device according to claim 1 wherein the inside surface and the outside surface are opposite sides of a single wall head.
 11. A grooming device comprising: a) a single-wall powder-dispensing head having a first end and a second end wherein: i. the head is curved at its first end, with no points or corners; ii. the head has an inside and an outside surface, and the entirety of the outside surface is exposed during use; and iii. the head is made of a flexible powder-permeable material that permits powder to pass from inside the head to outside the head through the material; b) a holder having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the holder is connected to the second end of the head at an intersection having at least one opening in communication with the head such that loose powder can be poured into the head through the holder; and c) a retainer positioned at the intersection of the head and the holder such that, when fastened, encloses the powder in the head.
 12. The grooming device according to claim 11 wherein the retainer prevents powder in the head from escaping onto the hand of a user holding the holder.
 13. The grooming device according to claim 11 wherein the distal end of the holder is discontinuous, having a single V-shaped side opening in which the point of the V is near the retainer and the legs of the V extend from the retainer to the distal end so that the V-shaped side opening creates flaps that drape outward from the holder while the powder is poured into the head through the holder.
 14. The device according to claim 11 wherein the head is made of terry cloth.
 15. A grooming device comprising: a) a single-wall powder-dispensing head made of a flexible material that permits powder to pass from inside the head to outside the head through the holes in the material, wherein the head further comprises a first face having a U-shaped periphery and a second face having a U-shaped periphery, the faces connected together at their peripheries to form a peripheral edge and an interior cavity, wherein the first and second faces are not connected at the open and of the U; b) a head trim attached to the peripheral edge to add structural rigidity such that the flexible material does not collapse upon itself; c) a holder made of the flexible material, the holder having: i. a proximal end connected to the head at the open end of the U such that loose powder can be poured into the head through the holder; and ii. a distal end having a single V-shaped side opening in which the point of the V is near a retainer, the legs of the V extend from the retainer to the distal end, and the V-shaped side opening creates flaps that drape outward from the holder while the powder is poured into the head through the holder; and d) a retainer positioned at the intersection of the head and the holder, wherein the retainer cinches and relaxes the device to contain the powder in the head.
 16. The grooming device according to claim 15 wherein the retainer slides within a casing that is disposed over the intersection.
 17. The device according to claim 15 wherein the head and holder are the same length.
 18. The grooming device of claim 15 wherein the holder is as long as a user's palm, such that it is sized to enable secure grasping in the user's hand.
 19. The grooming device of claim 15 further comprising a holder trim attached to the proximal end of the holder.
 20. The device according to claim 15 wherein the head and holder are each made of terry cloth. 